Lab Testing
We'll work to get your diet right first. Often, that's all we need to do. Our approach is to do the simplest and most cost-effective things first.
But sometimes it takes investigative work to figure out why you're still having symptoms, so we'll test. Every person is unique.
Sometimes it's the healthy foods that simply don't agree with us. Who knew that avocados, carrots, blueberries or spinach could make some people sick? We're all unique. Sometimes it's just a matter of finding out which foods are the best and worst choices for us.
Often related to food sensitivities:
- Migraines
- Overweight or obesity
- Chronic fatigue
- ADD/ADHD
- Aching joints
We also like to check your tolerance to food additives such as coloring,
sensitivity to molds or antibiotics, or an intolerance to your
pain-relievers. Your body responds in a unique way to your environment.
Testing can help identify specific ways to improve your diet and
lifestyle so you can feel better.
Here are reasons where testing may be helpful:
- Are you reacting to the mold growing in your shower or basement?
- Is your uncomfortable bloating and gas from an identifiable source? If you remove it, will you still need your acid-blocker?
- What if broccoli, garlic, chicken and pizza cause nausea, gut pain and burping. Is that a food sensitivity problem, or is it a disease such as GERD that requires medication? We think it is worth checking to see if food is the problem, before diagnosis and treatment of disease.
- Are ingredients in vaccines such as eggs, formaldehyde, polysorbate 80 okay for you or is there an indication that you will react to these? Are food additives such as MSG, blue food color or aspartame likely to cause problems, or are they okay for you?
- Which is the best pain relief source for you - ibuprofen, aspirin or acetaminophen?
- Are there antibiotics that could cause a reaction?
- Should you be on a gluten-free diet?
- Will you feel better - a vegan diet? or a paleo diet?
- What oils should you use in cooking? Which sweeteners should you use?
- You're worried about mercury exposure from fish, amalgams and vaccines - you can test to determine if it's a problem for your body.
- Has aluminum accumulated in my tissues?
- Are your functional foods and medicinal herbs such as aloe, acai, elderberry, or spirulina a source of healing - or will they likely cause inflammation?
- Blood and serum contain minerals but may not be completely representative of your body's mineral storage. Blood levels can fluctuate with mood, time of day, foods eaten and even the blood drawing technique. Hair provides a record of biological activity including past and present trace element levels.
- The tissue of choice of the Environmental Protection Agency for monitoring toxic metal exposure is human hair, but this testing is not often offered or recommended as part of a medical check up. We use it becasue it gives us a guide of what you should eat.
If you would like to have testing done, please make an
appointment. We will need a 3 day diet diary, plus a list of your
medications and supplements. 616 355-5333 or by email:
pam@holisticnutritioncenter.net
Food Sensitivity Testing - ALCAT
www.ALCAT.com
1-800-872-5228
Tissue Mineral Analysis - Trace Elements
www.traceelements,com
1-800-824-2314
Note: We use testing to determine which foods are best for you, not to diagnose your medical condition. Our office is not a medical office. Please see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment, and for all things related to medications.
